Chapter 2- Wilson and the labour governments 1964-70

Question 1

What were the reasons for the conservatives all from power in 1964?

Answer 1

• Youthful Image of Wilson, labour campaign was based around Wilson who was seen as a man of the people
• Illness of Macmillian, very ill following a major operation in 1963 later resigned due to ill health
• Douglas-Hone was seen as part of the establishment after he replaced Macmillian
• Labour party seen as a party of modernisation, more scientist and criticised stop-go politics
• after series of scandals (Burgess+Mclean, 1962 Cuban missile crisis and profumo affair) people disapproved of the establishment.
• imports 20% higher than exports. Britain’s EEC membership rejected in 1963.
• Night of the long knives 1962, Macmillian reorganising his cabinet put him in a precarious position

Question 2

What were the term factors influencing outcome of the 1964 election?

Answer 2

The youthful image of Wilson and Wilson being presented as a man of the people. Labour party focusing on modernising Britain, many people felt the conservatives were old fashioned and wanted change.
issues with balance of payment, imports 20% higher than exports.

Question 3

What were the short term causes for outcome of 1964 election?

Answer 3

Illness is Macmillian that eventually made him resign in 1964. He was replaced with Douglas Home who was seen as part of the establishment.
Scandals that happened just before the election reinforced people’s ideas that the conservative party was old fashioned.

Question 4

What was the key turning point for the outcome of the 1964 election?

Answer 4

Macmillan reorganised his cabinet in a event that became known as the night of the long knives.
It emphasised Macmillan’s reliance on ministers who supported his ideas. This reshuffle made Macmillan’s own position more precarious.

Question 5

What was Harold Wilson’s ideology?

Answer 5

On the left of the Labour Party. Had been a bevenite, resigning in 1950 over prescription charges.
Supported Britain’s nuclear deterrent and attempted to reform the trade unions.
Successfully linked the labour party to modernisation. First prime minister educated at state secondary school. However he was anxious and insecure about his leadership, paranoid about potential rivals.

Question 6

What economic problems did labour inherit in 1964?

Answer 6

Modernisation- key priorities right catch up to countries like Germany and Japan.

Productivity- The affluence of the post-war boom had not been reflected in the productivity or growth rates. Britain’s economy was trapped in a stop-go cycle with bursts of prosperity often leading to inflation, runs on the pound and crises over balance of payments.

Deficit- Labour had inherited a deficit of £800 million.

Question 7

What is productivity?

Answer 7

efficiency, E.g., getting more produced per worker in this way costs are reduced and profits are increased

Question 8

What is ‘run on the pound’ ?

Answer 8

A term describing a rapid fall in the value of the pound in international currency markets.

Question 9

What is ‘stop-go’ economics?

Answer 9

Low interest rates and rising consumer spending results with the economy overheating. The government slow this down by higher interest rates and spending cuts.

Question 10

What were the 2 solutions Labour had to solve the economic problems of 1964?

Answer 10

Devaluation- much talk about lowering the pound in order to make it more competitive, would encourage people to buy from Britain. It would make imports more expensive and make Britain look weaker. Make British good cheaper and encourage exports, helping with balance of payments. Wilson feared that labour party would get a reputation of devaluation as it already had before under Attlee in 1949.

Deflation- would make labour appear similar to the conservatives. support the value of the pound and prevent inflation. Fears that it would stop Labour party from meeting its manifesto commitments of extra spending on welfare and technology.

Question 11

What was the DEA and how successful was it?

Answer 11

Set up by George Brown, devised a national system of ‘economic planning councils’. He tried to establish voluntary agreement about wages and prices with industrialist and trade union leaders. The aim was to secure the restraint needed to prevent inflation rising which the government would then need to stop with controls. Therefore the ‘stop-go’ cycle could be avoided.
However they did not have united government support. Brown and DEA in competition with James Callaghan and orthodox economists at the Treasury. DEA was abandoned in 1967. Harold Wilson could have been trying to keep personalities happy rather than pick the best team for the job.

Question 12

What was the prices and income policy and how successful was it?

Answer 12

Prices and income policy was a attempt to keep down inflation, implemented by the Prices and Income Board.
Government intervention to set limits on price rises and to call for wage restraint in negotiations between unions and employers.

Question 13

What happens to industrial relations after 1964?

Answer 13

Another sterling crisis in 1966 caused the National Union of Seamen to strike. Government defeated this strike however people in Wilson’s party where shocked at Wilson’s critical attitude to strikers and Trade Unionist Frank Cousins resigned from cabinet over the incomes policy. Relationship with government and unions started to breakdown.

Question 14

How successful overall were Labour’s economic policies in 1964?

Answer 14

Labour had tried so hard to avoid devaluation that the devaluation crisis had damaged its credibility.
Few weeks later Britain’s second application to join EEC was rejected.
When Callaghan was replaced with Roy Jenkins the economic situation started to improve. He kinda used deflationary methods, raised taxes, tightened up government spending in all areas of the economy giving top priority to improving balance of payments. By 1969 Jenkins had achieved a balance of payments surplus. Although by 1969-1970 inflation was running at 12%.
The improvement in the economic situation from 69 was a key factor in making labour confident of its victory in the 1970 general election.

Question 15

what were wildcat strikes?

Answer 15

Wildcat strikes were strikes by local activist who would not take orders from the top.

Question 16

What was Wilson’s response to the increased strikes?

Answer 16

Wilson and Barbra Castle started to plan to use the law to limit unofficial strikes. In January 1969 she produced ‘in place of strife’ in order to control strikes.

Question 17

Who was Barbra Castle and what were the main proposals of ‘In Place of Strife’?

Answer 17

Barbra Castle was Wilson’s new employment minister. The main proposals of In Place of Strife were: Industrial relations court would be able to prosecute people who broke the rules and strike ballots would be imposed.

Question 18

How did the trade unions respond to ‘in place of strife’?

Answer 18

Storm of protests from powerful union leaders such as Jack Jones, they were supported by Home Secretary James Callaghan and at least 50 labour MPs who were ready to rebel.

Question 19

How was the issue of in place of strife solved?

Answer 19

In June 1969 the TUC negotiated a face-saving compromise but everyone knew it was a humiliating climb down by the government.

Question 20

What were the key disagreements in the labour party in 1960?

Answer 20

Economic- George Brown & Roy Jenkins disagreement on Devaluation of the pound. Jenkins wanted to stimulate exports by devaluing,however, this would have a impact on spending at home as prices would rise.

Attitudes to modernisation- Many ministers had little scientific understanding.

Trade unions- Attempts to reign in the unions from Barbra Castle with ‘in place of strife’ and White Paper. Attempted to regulate unions by proposing a ban on wildcat strikes, cooling off period where unions had to wait 28 days before striking.

Question 21

Who were Wilson’s personal rivals in his cabinet?

Answer 21

Wilson feared a leadership challenge from Brown or Callaghan or Jenkins.
Brown was hugely resentful that he had lost the leadership election to Wilson and was further disappointed that he was not made foreign secretary in 1964.
Wilson was also suspicious of Jenkins, a Gaitskellite. Did not support Jenkin’s liberalising legislation as home secretary. When the seamen strike of 1966 caused a sterling crisis Jenkins tried to get cabinet to support devaluation.
Wilson was paranoid Callaghan and Jenkins would work together to replace him however this was highly unlikely as Callaghan did not approve of Jenkins liberalising legislation. Jenkins was a supporter of the trade union legislation that Callaghan helped to block.

Question 22

What were the consequences of the divisions in the labour party in the 1960s?

Answer 22

Wilson spent too much of his energy and attention trying to keep the party happy and united and in stopping any of his colleagues from being able to threaten his position.

Question 23

What were the beginning of the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland?

Answer 23

• NI created in 1922 after Irish war
  of Independence
• Ireland partitioned between 6 counties in the North that would remain part of the UK and 26 other counties that would be Irish free state.
• partition was extremely controversial led to civil war with unionist supporting union with Britain and nationalist supporting a unites Ireland.
• Majority of people in Ireland catholic but in NI majority protestant
• Belfast parliament dominated by protestant unionists

Question 24

How were Catholics discriminated against in NI in the 60s?

Answer 24

Catholics had been discriminated against in employment, housing and electoral boundaries deliberately brought in to prevent catholics from being elected.
Accusations RUC (Northen Irish police force) has been biased against catholics.
Civil rights marches held in 1968 to protest against discrimination, however they were attacked by loyalists.

Question 25

What was the end of the post-war consensus?

Answer 25

• In 1970 there were the fist signs that the post war consensus was breaking down
• Britain’s economic problems did not seem to have been solved by consensus policies
• Trade unions more uncooperative
• Left of the labour party dissatisfied by moderate consensus in labour policies
• Conservative party were also at a tong to doubt the efficiency of key elements in the post war consensus.

Question 26

What were the reasons for the loss of the 1970 election?

Answer 26

• Victory of the conservatives in 1970 election seemed to be a surprise, Wilson government had come through difficult times.
• Jenkins had credited for achieving economic stability and Wilson was considered to be much more experienced and popular than Heath.
• However between 1966 and 69 Wilson’s government had suffered a series of setbacks and failures.
• concern that post war consensus wasn’t working meant that conservatives new ideas gained support

Question 27

What were the liberal reforming legislation?

Answer 27

Private member’s bill
The end of capital punishment 
Divorce reform act
Legalisation of abortion 
The legislation of homosexual relations
Expansion of higher education

Question 28

What was the private member’s bill?

Answer 28

Labour did not set out with a liberalising agenda, labour leaders like Wilson and Brown were conservative in moral issues and working class labour MPs were suspicious of change.
However laws in moral questions were usually free votes (MPs can vote according to their own conscience rather than follow official party line).
Provision for backbench MPs to vote propose legislation through private member’s bills. 1960s saw back bench MPs propose legislation through private member’s bills. They were successful because Jenkins enabled enough parliamentary time to be available so reforms could be passed.

Question 29

How did capital punishment end ?

Answer 29

Anti-hanging campaign had received a particular boost from the case of Ruth Ellis in 1955.
Labour backbencher Sydney Silverman continued to campaign tirelessly to win support for total abolition.
In 1965 on free vote hanging was abolished for a trial period of 5 years. In 1969 this was made permanent.
The abolition of hanging did not signify ca you reduce the number of murders or violent crimes, as it’s supporters had hoped.

Question 30

How did Jenkins reform crime and punishment ?

Answer 30

refused the beating of prisoners which stopped after 1967. He also brought in ‘majority’ verdicts for English juries rather than demanding unanimity. This helped convict many dangerous and professional criminals.

Question 31

What was the Divorce reform act and how did it change society?

Answer 31

• Until the 1960s, divorce law demanded evidence that one party had committed adultery.
• The rich had used private detectives and cameras to prove this, for others divorce was often impossible.
• Divorce reform act was passed in 1969, as Jenkins believed these laws were out of date.
• allowed for ‘no fault’ divorce following ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of marriage.
• Couples could divorce if they had lived apart for both years and both couples agreed to divorce or if they have lived apart for 5 years and one partner wanted to divorce.
• by the mid 70s nearly 10 in every 1000s marriages ended in divorce compared to 2 in every 1000 in the 1950s

Question 32

How and when was abortion legalised in the UK?

Answer 32

• until 1967 abortion, unless medical, was illegal
• between 100,000 and 200,000 illegal abortions performed each year
• between 1958 and 1960 82 women died after backstreet abortions
• Abortion Law Reform Association had campaigned for a reform since 1945
• Liberal M.P. David Steel led the reform campaign in parliament supported by both parties, Roy Jenkins ensured an all night commons sitting in order to pass the bill.
• Abortion Act passed in 1967, only justification needed ‘mental suffering’.

Question 33

What were the limitations of the abortion act?

Answer 33

Hopes that the availability is more effective contraceptives would limit the need for abortion proved false. The number of abortions increased from 4 per 100 live births in 1968 to 17.6 in 1975.

Question 34

When was the Sexual Offences Act passed and how did it change the law?

Answer 34

• Up until the 1960s men could be imprisoned for 2 years for participating in homosexual acts
• Leo Abse, a labour backbencher was left to take up the cause
• Thanks to Jenkin’s support he was able to get enough parliamentary time for his private member’s bill to become a law as the 1967 Sexual Offences Act.
• did not legalise homosexual acts it decriminalised them when both partners had consented, were over the age of 21 and it was in private.
• ‘in private’ meant no one else could be in the same building so it did not mean the complete end of prosecution for homosexual practices

Question 35

How did the media expand in the 1960s?

Answer 35

• Television became valuable everywhere, created a uniformity of culture and ended isolation of distant communities
• rapidly supplanted the cinema as means for d entertainment
• by 1961 75% of population had a TV in their home, 1971 this rose to 91%
• When Hugh Greene became director of the BBC in 1960 money was diverted from radio to TV.
• launch of ITV in 1955 had allowed advertising to expand.
• BBC2 first channel to broadcast colour programmes.
• Arrival of TV would mark the end of the print media, advertising revenue fell along with readership.
• the print that survived however changed and grew stronger.

Question 36

How did radio change in the 1960s?

Answer 36

• Radio still did survived, helped by the development of cheat and portable transitory and the spread of car radio.
• Radios could be taken out and listened to in private, teenagers no longer had to listen to what their parents did.
• start of 1960s only 3 radio stations.
• young people listened to pop music on ‘pirate stations’
• after pirate stations banned, BBC pop music station Radio One was introduced

Question 37

How did leisure activities change in the 1960s?

Answer 37

• By the 1960s leisure time expanded as fewer people were expected to work on Saturday mornings and weekends could be given over to leisure activities
• Home remained the centre of leisure activities and this was extended by TV
• 1963 TV accounted for 23% of leisure time
• Live theatre shrank rapidly, especially outside major cities and attendance to football matches also suffered

Question 38

How did car ownership change in the 1960s?

Answer 38

• Car ownership accelerated rapidly in the 1960s
• passenger bus, coach and train travel declined rapidly as the use of the car grew to account for 77% of journeys by 1974
• cars had become more affordable, cars permitted travel to alternative shopping centres and leisure facilities.

Question 39

How did tourism change in the 1960s?

Answer 39

• in 1961 holidays in total increase to 34 million, compared to 27 million in 1951
• travel abroad reached 4 million in 1961 compared to 2 million in 1951.
• Britannia Airways founded in 1964
• However cost of air travel meant that for most of the 1960s holidays abroad were still largely at the preserve for the middle class.
• Travel abroad began to encourage inter-continental flavour into British tastes, Restaurants and wine bars appeared to cater to these new tastes.

Question 40

How did science develop in the 1960s?

Answer 40

• Anglo-French partnership continued to develop the supersonic Concorde aircraft.
• The post office tower in Britain opened in 1965 to improve telecommunications
• the most important to the lives of ordinary people were the developments that effected their day to day lives.

Question 41

How did censorship change in the 1960s?

Answer 41

• In the past new plays had to gain a license from the Lord Chamberlain’s Office before they were allowed to preform.
• They could decide if material was seen as inappropriate or immoral and remove it.
• Theatre owners could be prosecuted if they did not have approval
• George Strauss with the help of Roy Jenkins introduced a bill to abolish censorship and the act was passed in 1968.
• removal of censorship permitted nudity on stage